My mother always said my sister Satsu was like wood; as rooted to the earth as a sakura tree.
But she told me I was like water. Water can carve its way even through stone...and when trapped, water makes a new path...
Now I understood the thing I´d overlooked; the point wasn´t to become a geisha but to be one. To become a geisha...well, that was hardly a purpose in life. But to be a geisha... I could see it now as a stepping-stone to something else. After all, these are not the memoirs of an empress, nor of a queen. These are memoirs of another kind.
I have a lemon tree growing in my front yard, that produces the most delicious lemons. These are a special breed of lemons called Meyer lemons. Aren't the blossoms lovely? The fragrance is intoxicating.
I love lemon in my tea. That's why I planted the tree! I am seldom without lemons. Sometimes I have so many, I need to squeeze them all and put them in a jar in the refrigerator. Some say to put them in ice cube trays, but then the resulting ice cube would be too much a dose of lemon for my individual 20 ounce tea cup. I mean mug. I have a collection of the most wonderful dainty porcelain and china tea cups, but only bring them out when friends come over. My tea pot only holds four cups, so my mug is for when I am by myself and can guzzle to my heart's content.
According to sources, adding a squeeze of lemon juice to black tea clears the liquid. It changes from a dark, opaque brown to a transparent deep red-orange in a matter of seconds.
The reaction makes the tea lose not just the brown color but also the astringency, so strong black tea can be made more drinkable this way - especially with the addition of a little sweetener to take the edge off the flavor.
Lemon tea made this way remains flavorful at any temperature, and recipes for iced tea often call for the addition of lemon. Incidentally, orange juice is also acid enough to remove most of the tea's astringency, as well as sweetening it; it sounds weird, but it's actually pretty good. Some call this Russian Tea.
Lemons are so good for us, and are used in many ways. One of most people's favorite way to ingest lemons is through homemade lemonade, or lemonade iced tea, also known as an Arnold Palmer, named after the golfer who enjoyed his tea made half and half with lemonade. The latest offerings in restaurants have been raspberry or strawberry flavored iced tea. But, I don't care for them. I only drink hot tea when I go out. Apparently bacteria and mold can build up in restaurant containers. I just wish one thing. When I go out and order tea, I wish the lemon accompanying my cup would be more than a half slice. When I have asked for a wedge, I always get a surprised look. So few people drink tea, it is not understood that you cannot easily squeeze the juice out of a slice.
She stands
With breezes teasing
Long leaves dripping after rain
Named Willow,
an old and venerable one
verdant in the summer sun
She survives
Spending winter naked
Withdrawing into herself
to her roots
She hibernated
And slept while cold death
Bit at her branches
Yet she lives
By some miracle
She awoke
At the appointed time
The mystery
Known only to her
and her mother, Nature
She revels in this season
Shading all who pass by
Bending to the winds
In a private dance
The two repeat together
She’s a feast for the eyes
Against the turquoise skies
Swaying in the breeze, the willow cried.
Wind wanting to comfort her,
could not.
Of all the people on the earth,
she loved that child the most.
The one who sat beneath her daily
her back leaning against the bark.
Willow's roots embracing her
like a babe in arms.
Willow's branches swayed,
touching her hair as she played
happily, with her dolls
and now she was going away,
far, far, away to another place.
I love lemon in my tea. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to black tea has the effect of clearing the liquid; it transforms it from a dark, nearly-opaque brown to a transparent deep red-orange in a matter of seconds. The reaction makes the tea lose not just the brown color but also the astringency, so strong black tea can be made more drinkable this way - especially with the addition of a little sugar to take the edge off the flavor. Lemon tea made this way remains tasty at any temperature, and many recipes for iced tea call for the addition of lemon. Incidentally, orange juice is also acid enough to remove most of black tea's astringency, as well as sweetening it; it sounds weird, but it's actually pretty good.
I have a lemon tree growing in my front yard, that produces the most delicious lemons. These are a special breed of lemons called Meyer lemons. The Meyer Lemon is a favorite of cooks because is a bit sweeter than the other kinds of lemons. It's skin is not so thick or rough as other lemons. It is easy to grow. I have a miniature tree. It has lots of blooms on it and produces fruit twice a year. I am very lucky that it handles cold weather well. Last two years we have had very cold, and sometimes freezing nights. And the tree did well. I have lots of Lemons on it right now, and some are as big as a naval orange!
One of most people's favorite way to ingest lemons is through homemade lemonade.
These babies have been given their first taste of lemon.
You may see more lemonade recipes through the following links:
Lemonade Recipes
Blue Lemonade This will catch people's eyes. It's bright and fun, and made with blueberries.
Brazilian Lemonade Recipe Milk gives this lemonade an unusual and creamy touch.
Classic Lemonade Recipe Lemons, sugar and water. A very simple lemonade recipe, and yet so refreshing.
Ginger Lemonade Recipe Fresh ginger gives traditional lemonade a new flavour.
Lavender Lemonade If you like the floral taste of lavender, then this herbal lemonade recipe is for you.
Watermelon Lemonade Recipe The mild flavour of the watermelon blends nicely with the tart lemon juice.
